Saturday, April 23, 2011

Harper's "Fantasy Land"

To be blunt, I'm losing the will to blog on issues, because frankly it doesn't seem to matter, completely inconsequential. You have a government downright lying their asses off about the biggest military expenditure in history, and it's fine apparently, move along. You have a Conservative government that magically reinvents themselves in a mere 17 days, suddenly finding 4 billion a year in deficit savings, BUT seemingly allowed to NEVER tell us how, apart from absurd generalities that simply don't fly. People will remember 2008, wherein we had an election about the environment, but the Conservatives some how managed to delay their plan, telling us we'd see the goods AFTER the election- we never did, but HEY it won them an election, good job con artists! In other words, let's be clear, none of it matters, a critical eye is really just the realm of political junkies, an esoteric world with no relevance to the "street". So with that depressing reality FULLY understood, I will soldier on in my little world, because, well, I care anyways:
A re-elected Conservative government would have to slash social and economic programs and federal government services to meet Stephen Harper’s deficit-reduction targets, analysts say.

But analysts say past experience has shown that the Conservatives’ cost-cutting claims are unrealistic and the savings envisioned by Harper would require significant cuts to programs intended to help the public.

“If it is easy now to find $4 billion in annual savings through ‘efficiencies,’ then why didn’t the government start five years ago?” asked Peter Devries, a former senior finance department official, in a recent article entitled “If Pigs Can Fly.”

He added: “Anyone who has actually been involved in controlling and cutting program expenditures will tell you that it is not possible to find savings of that amount through efficiencies. To find credible savings that would generate $4 billion in ongoing savings would require elimination or cuts to existing programs.”

It's such a maddening election, Harper can simply sidestep reality, NOBODY believes it possible, and two days later that's the end of the discussion. The best part for me, this nonsensical claim that Harper can find LOADS of saving with computer costs. At the time I wondered aloud if any company, anywhere, can attest to how computer costs get lower and lower, particularly when you have outdated equipment- there's laughable, then there's just plain FIBBING:
Harper has mentioned the example of potential savings through a more efficient computer system. But Jackson said it’s widely accepted that upgrading outdated federal government technology can’t be done without hefty initial spending on new equipment — hardly a cost-saving measure.

But I digress, just put on a silly jacket and stand in a cool arena with your "lapping at our shores" pungent bullshit, it's all good Mr. Prime Minister!

Wait a minute, the title is wrong, Harper doesn't live in a "fantasy land", I DO for actually thinking honest account has anything to do with electing people. I need a new interest...

18 comments:

billynobels said...

These are worrying times. Hope has been lost for me several times but we must fight on. A Harper majority scares the living shit out of me. Let us rest assured that we did everything within our abilities to stop that from happening. If Canadians are hornswaggled by Harper's lies and bullshit then they will truly get the government they deserve, and that would be sad for our traditions, heritage and our nation. My children and grand children will know what I did the election of 2011.

Steve V said...

It's partly the system 60-65% of us have it figured out, but maddening all the same.

rgl said...

Yes, Steve, it's as depressing as hell. At moments I wonder if I should just say the hell with the country and take up citizenship in China or Mexico or . . . But then I get even more pissed off and say hell, it's my country too you bag of excrement, Mr. Stevie.

Jerry Prager said...

Let's hope yesterday's larger advance poll turnout was the silent majority, who couldn't wait to vote against the lies everyone but the gullible middle seems to embrace.

Steve V said...

The supposed high turnout is a good sign indeed.

Steve V said...

Just to be clear, I meant the issues are inconsequential, not whether I blog on them or not, I already know I'm completely irrelevant :)

not an FBI plant said...

Stephen Harper looks and feels like a proxy Christian American Republican...addicted to alcohol, tobacco, firearm and Bible sales.

A Eliz. said...

What scares the living daylights out of me, is reading about Harper's past in the Northern Foundation and the Heritage Front and now having him where he is.

Kirbycairo said...

Imagine how reasonable people felt in the lead up to the 1933 elections in Germany. People knew what was going on, there was nothing hidden about Hitler's agenda yet he cruised to victory. History is full of these kinds of disappointments and frustrations. But the struggle continues on none the less. And all we need is for Canadians to give Harper another minority and he is done. That is still not off the table at all. I think the most frustrating point for many is that the LPC failed to elect a solid leader when they had the chance but also that the party seems so incapable of fighting the Tories on their own ground. If the Liberals had had a good leader a few years ago who was willing to take it right to the Tories and go for the heart of the matter Harper would be at 10% in the polls. That is where the real frustration for many Liberals must be. Hopefully they finally learn from their mistakes.

Steve V said...

I'm not so sure to be honest. There is something about governments defeating themselves, and people subscribe to a shelf life before angst reaches critical mass. My frustration with the Liberals isn't leadership, it's a lack of attention to Quebec.

I still see many positive scenarios here, so I hope this post doesn't convey I've given up, I haven't, just some purging if you will. Harper is running a dreadful campaign, and his numbers are on the wane as well.

Omar said...

If what I just watched on CPAC is any indication, Harper appears incredibly dejected. He looks like a man ready to throw in the proverbial towel. Not that he ever looks like someone with a skip in their step, but man, I like that he looks so worried. Puts a shine on my long weekend.

Steve V said...

I noticed that as well, as I said on da twitter if inflection is any clue, even Harper doesn't see a majority in his future. He looks and sounds down!

Alison said...

To be really nasty (I'm feeling that way today) maybe he'll be dejected enough to pull a Harris Harper.

Dana said...

If only Laureen would transform into Lucrezia.

Kirk said...

Bumper stickers and biased "pundits" and "journalists" rule baby!

Steve has seen the light! Welcome to The Great White America.

sassy said...

He looks and sounds down

That could just be his please-elect-poor-me pout

Steve V said...

Remember the day after the coalition threat came out, he sat in his chair like the little kid who got picked last in the schoolyard. I take a lot from cues, this morning I saw a guy running out of gas.

felicitatum said...

Nobody said it better than this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14yEO8nfqxE
Civil Rights

Stand!
In the end you'll still be you
One that's done all the things you set out to do
Stand!
There's a cross for you to bear
Things to go through if you're going anywhere

Stand!
For the things you know are right
It s the truth that the truth makes them so uptight
Stand!
All the things you want are real;
You have you to complete, and there is no deal

Stand!
You've been sitting much too long
There's a permanent crease in your right and wrong
Stand
There's a midget standing tall
And the giant beside him about to fall

Stand
They will try to make you crawl
And they know what you're saying makes sense and all
Stand
Don't you know that you are free
Well at least in your mind if you want to be